Panduit recently unveiled its FlexFusion Cabinets, billing the product offering as "a unique universal platform for all types of data centers and servicing needs including hyperscale, edge and multi-tenant data center networks."
According to the company's product announcement, "Built with a best-in-class weight load of 3,500 lbs. and doors with maximum air flow of 80%, FlexFusion can tackle your most challenging cabinet installations. Whether it’s for server, network or hybrid applications, the FlexFusion Cabinets deliver performance to keep your networks running at optimal efficiency."
Key features of the FlexFusion Cabinets, as summarized by Panduit, include: a universal design for server or network applications; a configurator tool to select from a basic cabinet to a turn-key pre-configured cabinet; a fully integral bonded design without use of grounding wires; fully adjustable front and rear cage nut equipment rails; and several tool-less cable management options to choose from.
Technical details
According to Panduit's Product Brief (PDF), the FlexFusion Cabinets consist of a welded and assembled steel frame construction available in 600 mm, 700 mm and 800 mm widths; 1070 mm and 1200 mm depths; and 42 RU, 45 RU, 48 RU and 51 RU heights.
The top of cabinet is available with either molded edge protection and snap-in covers for the company's CoolBoot Grommet Cable Seal, or a brush cable seal and rear lift-up lid for PDU cable lay-in.
Available options include a front single-hinged door and rear split-hinged doors with 80% open perforation, horizontally split side panels, cable management fingers, vertical cable manager bracket, PDU mounting bracket and casters. The company notes cabinet's 80% perforated doors maximize cooling for increased power density in newer deployments.
The entire cabinet is designed to be electrically bonded without the use of bonding wires. The cabinet has a 1591 kg (3500 lbs.) static load rating and 1136 kg (2500 lbs.) rolling load rating.
Meanwhile, the FlexFusion platform's advanced security options include a choice of key lock, 3-digit combo, or HID electronic and/or keypad lock. Turnkey deployment is ensured via the platform's integrated intelligence with pre-configured PDU, access control, and environmental monitoring capabilities.
Customizable cabinet flexibly meets changing network needs
As enterprises continue to discuss what “return to work” will look like for them in wake of the COVID pandemic, the need to reassess their network needs and ongoing flexibility takes center stage.
According to a Global Workplace Analytics report cited by Panduit, with an estimated 25-35% of the workforce working from home multiple days a week by the end of 2021, data center needs are likely to change and grow repeatedly in coming months.
In order to keep pace with the demands of a hybrid workforce, Panduit further observes that additional equipment, security, and intelligence will be necessary to ensure seamless business continuity and protect critical data.
Applicable to all types of data centers and offering a universal platform, Panduit contends that its FlexFusion Cabinet offers maximum flexibility to meet these challenges, and can be custom-configured to user needs immediately, with modularity to allow for future-ready network infrastructure expansion.
“The launch of the FlexFusion Cabinet is a testament to the innovation that Panduit can provide to our customers," commented Matt Paciorek, Group Manager, Converged Infrastructure Solutions, at Panduit. "Through extensive research, we have discovered that customers desire a configurable cabinet that can grow as network demands evolve. Data center cabinets are increasing in density and storage capacity, so we have added additional thermal enhancements and integrated intelligence. We are all very excited for the FlexFusion Cabinet, as it is tailored specifically to customer’s needs.”
A company statement concluded, "For nearly a year and a half, our workforce has had to demonstrate its ability to be flexible, adapt and change how and where employees work. Many businesses have already started to reassess their data storage and delivery systems and those that have not begun to reassess their data delivery will likely find the need to begin that reassessment. Where your employees are and how they access data has changed and is likely to continue to change, making reconfiguration and data storage expansions top of mind for many. It is essential for all types of data centers and servicing needs, including hyperscale, edge and multi-tenant data centers, to plan for optimal performance, efficiency and need to evolve. Panduit has long been an advocate of building cost-effective infrastructure solutions that provide maximum scalability."
